Main Aims and Objectives

Address the root causes of violence and its effects among communities through promoting community-based projects in education, health, environment and agriculture.

Research, document and disseminate information on topical issues and concerns affecting the young people and communities at large.

Equip young people with contemporary job skills for self help and employment.

Mobilize human, financial and other resources to support community initiatives and projects.

Promote meaningful youth participation in the promotion of good governance, democracy and human rights at the grassroots.

Upholding the Principles of Conflict Transformation

AYPI utilizes non-violent models of conflict transformation to engage youth in realizing peace and preventing the escalation of violence within communities in Uganda, primarily through community-based early warning and response methods. This is done through working with community resource persons who are able to systematically collect and analyse every information and conflict incidents within their communities with the aim of anticipating the escalation of violence or natural calamities.

The community resource persons are able to analyze and develop strategic responses to the emerging incidents and further intervene by presenting alternative options to key actors like the elected representatives, local government departments and other local and national authorities for immediate attention to prevent the negative impacts.

AYPI also utilizes the restorative circles model to resolve both domestic and communal disputes. The restorative circles model is an informal traditional justice mechanism that seeks to provide a win – win result for the conflicting parties. It’s locally known as the “Enkiiko Zaabataka” and is vital in settling domestic and land disputes within communities. The restorative circles are a typical practice of the modern mediation process but only differ in a way that, they involve the entire community and witnesses to the conflict.

Where and with Whom

AYPI bears the mandate to work throughout Uganda and the great lakes region of Africa as a civil society organisation however, Central Uganda (Kampala and Wakiso Districts) and the Mid-Western Districts of Bunyoro Region in the Albertine Graben which boarder Democratic Republic of Congo in the west are the current areas of active project implementation.

AYPI is also affiliated to major local umbrella organisations like the Uganda National NGO Forum, Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Association (DENIVA) and International organisations like African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries (ALARM), World Vision Uganda, Minority Rights Group International and European Union.

Main Activities in the Field of Conflict Transformation

AYPI’s main interventions are within the following strategic activities:

Promotes conflict transformation and conflict sensitive approaches through inculcating the values of justice and peace among communities. The community outreach activities are premised on the principle that upholding the values of justice and ethics are critical in ensuring harmonious and peaceful coexistence among all people irrespective of their tribe, religion or political affiliation. Considering all forms of violence in the family and communities, communities are sensitized on the negative implications of conflict like causing under-development and stagnation of communities.

Enhancing local capacities in rights based approaches, participatory resource monitoring and budget tracking to empower local communities to demand, participate and monitor development programs within there localities.

Advocates for the active participation of the children, youth and women in the development planning at all levels.

Works towards addressing the root causes of violence and its effects among communities through preventing, managing and transforming conflict within communities and ensuring socio-economic justice for the poorest and vulnerable groups.

Works with the media to create awareness and disseminate information through media outlets and forums to influence opinions and change attitudes as well as inform the public about critical issues. Recognizing that when people have the right information they are able to make informed and independent decisions and also fully participate in the development of their communities.

Promotes education and welfare for orphans and vulnerable children through bringing quality education services nearer and accessible to the hard to reach communities and improving the welfare of vulnerable children among households.

Brings together, through community meetings, orphans and vulnerable children and their caretakers into dialogue to create an environment conducive for the survival, growth and development of orphans and vulnerable children in the communities.